Things You'll Need:
- Towels
- 2 baby washcloths
- 2 bowls of WARM water
- Baby soap
- A clean diaper
- Hairdryer
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Step 1
Prepare to give the bath. You do not want to get half way through the process only to realize you must grab something from the next room while you have a cold, wet, screaming newborn left on a changing table (never leave a baby on a table!!)
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Step 2
Spread out 2 towels side by side. One is to catch the water from the bath and the other is to dry the baby off once the bath is over.
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Step 3
Prepare your bowls of warm water. A newborn really appreciates anything warm, just do not make it too hot and burn their sensitive skin. Testing the water with your elbow or the inside of your wrist is a good way to measure if it is too hot or cold for your little one. One bowl will have soapy water in it, the other will be for rinsing.
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Step 4
Remove your baby's clothes and diaper. If the air is chilly or the baby really does not like to feel this exposed, you may have to bathe just one area of the body at a time and cover it back up while you move on to another area.
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Step 5
Apply soap to one washcloth and dip it in the first bowl to get a lather going. Begin washing your baby but save the head for last. A damp head can really cause a newborn to get a chill.
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Step 6
Remember not to get the umbilical cord stump wet. A wet stump poses a risk for infection and will cause the stump to take longer to fall off.
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Step 7
After an area is washed, use your other washcloth and dip it into the other bowl. Rinse off your baby with this washcloth.
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Step 8
Once all parts of your newborn are clean, place your baby on the dry towel. Quickly dry them off and put on a new diaper and new clothes.
Comments
Scarlett9284 said
on 11/20/2008 Great advice! It's not easy to give a crying, screaming baby a bath but these tips should help. Thanks!